asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the number of grants applied for from EEC funds for the purchase and the building of fishing trawlers; and whether in order to obtain a grant an applicant must be a member of a producers' organisation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Trawler Grants.
3.
Applications for grants from EEC funds have been submitted in respect of 24 fishing vessels. It is not necessary for the applicant to be a member of a producer's organisation.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary satisfied that fishermen are fully aware of all the grants and aids available to them from EEC funds?
I am quite satisfied. The terms are well publicised and fishermen are well aware that such grants are available.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary state if the closing date for application for grants for the purchase and building of trawlers can be extended?
The closing date was 30th June. Applications are being considered for submission next year. They will be accepted annually.
In view of the belated discovery that those grants were available for fishing boats, would the Parliamentary Secretary ask An Bord Iascaigh Mhara to give special preference to those who lost their boats or had them damaged in the storms last January and who received no assistance? I would ask him to do the same in respect of harbours which are still in a wrecked condition.
I will convey the Deputy's views to the board.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary tell us the date and the method by which the information that was necessary was made available to fishermen?
That information has been given to the House already in reply to a previous question. The Deputy will find the required information in the appropriate volume of the Official Report. I am sorry I have not the relevant number of the volume.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary satisfied that all the fishermen are members of suitable producer organisations that would qualify for these grants? If they are not, what percentage of fishermen are so organised into producer groups? What steps have been taken to promote the formation and development of such suitable producer organisations?
The Department have endeavoured in every way possible to try to get fishermen to form producer organisations. I have met representatives of fishermen and representatives of the IAOS and the BIM who are jointly working on the formation of producer groups.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary state the percentage of fishermen who are organised into producer groups that would enable them to qualify for these grants? Can he state the proportion involved?
Unfortunately, the number is not great. Despite our repeated requests, it is difficult to get fishermen to form producer organisations. In recent weeks some headway has been made. I am not too satisfied with the progress made; I have expressed the view privately in the course of conversations with fishermen that they are not alive to the question of the formation of producer groups.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary recall that I raised this matter 12 months ago and was assured by the Minister that the situation was completely satisfactory and that every fisherman in the country was fully aware of what was required?
The fishermen are fully aware of this matter.
Yet the Parliamentary Secretary cannot tell me what proportion of fishermen are so organised.
Perhaps the Deputy would put down a question.
I thought the Parliamentary Secretary would have known the answer automatically.
He will find the answer on page 4.
I have allowed a lot of latitude on this question. We cannot remain unduly long on any one question.
Of the 24 applications received, how many does the Parliamentary Secretary anticipate will qualify for the grants?
I cannot state how many applications will qualify for the grants. That would be a matter for the Commission.
Surely it will be necessary for the Parliamentary Secretary to know whether they meet the requirements of the EEC?
In our view the 24 applications meet the requirements. They are all in respect of vessels 50 feet or over in length; apparently vessels of less than this length will not qualify and consequently there is no point in submitting applications for them.